Three basic elements must be present for a fire to occur:
- Fuel -- For a fire to start there must be something to burn. The physical state of the fuel may be gases (natural gas, propane, butane, hydrogen, etc.); liquids (gasoline, kerosene, turpentine, alcohol, paint, varnish, lacquer, etc.) or solid (coal, wood, paper, cloth, grease, etc.)
- Heat -- For a fire to start there must be a source of ignition, usually heat or a spark. Heat sources include: open flame, hot surfaces, sparks and arcs, friction-chemical action, electrical energy and compression of gases
- Oxygen -- A source of oxygen is needed. Approximately 16% is required. Normal air contains 21% oxygen. Some fuels contain enough oxygen within their make-up to support burning.
These three components make up the fire triangle and proper combination of these three elements invariably results in a fire. By nature, a triangle needs three sides. Take away one of the sides, and the triangle collapses. The same is true of fire. Take away any of the three components of fire: fuel, heat or oxygen and the fire collapses, meaning that it can’t burn.
It is important to determine in advance what your response will be in the event of a fire occurrence on campus. The basic steps you will follow are:
- Step 1: Activate Alarm
- Step 2: Dial 911 (or from a cell phone Dial 397-4239)
- Step 3: Evacuate the Building
For additional information on emergency response, please refer to the Quick Reference: Response and Occurrence
EMERGENCY PHONES
Midwestern State University maintains an advanced system for the reporting of any problems to the University Police. The heart of the system is a dedicated 911 emergency telephone computer with enhanced location determination capabilities.
There are multiple phones on campus, all connected to this system:
- All emergency phones which are part of the University Police Dispatch Unit ( 911) are connected to the emergency telephone system.
- All public pay phones in campus buildings and on campus properties are connected to the 911 system. No coin is required when dialing 911.
|
Emergency Phone Station |
The location of all the outdoor emergency phones can be found on the following maps. |
To use such a phone, open the door to the box and hold the red button until the call is answered. This will activate the 911 system, which will indicate the phone's location at the campus police station
|
Talking to Dispatcher |
Emergency Phone |
--------------------------------
The mission of the fire and life safety program is to provide a proactive fire prevention program to ensure the safety of Oklahoma State University students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
This mission is addressed through a comprehensive effort of fire safety education, fire and life safety inspections and oversight of all maintenance performed on fire and life safety systems installed in all campus facilities.
The University Fire Marshal provides code interpretation, code review and ensure code compliance of all construction and renovation projects by conducting a thorough review and approval process of all construction and renovation plans and documents.
The Director of Environmental Health and Safety currently serves as the Authority Having Jurisdiction for all Oklahoma State University campuses as well as the Oklahoma Agriculture and Mechanical colleges.
------------------
Click here to return to the home page.
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
ehs@okstate.edu
Phone: 405.744.7241
Fax: 405.744.7148
Oklahoma State University is committed to the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus. The purpose of the AED Management Program is to ensure that all AEDs on campus are maintained properly and are readily available to deliver potentially lifesaving defibrillation to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). AEDs are intended to provide a bridge during the critical minutes between the onset of SCA and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
The AED Management Program was created by the Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) to identify and ensure that AEDs on campus are properly maintained. Any AED on the Stillwater campus should be registered with EHS so it can be added to the AED Management Program by using the form.
AEDs can be found in all OSU PD patrol cars, Athletics’ facilities, and campus buildings provided by individual university departments and organizations ( click here for a list of locations) and are carried by EHS personnel at large gatherings on campus and during sporting events.
All AEDs on campus must be visually checked on a monthly basis to ensure they are in good condition and are in proper working order. A Monthly Self Readiness Check Sheet must be maintained for each AED on campus. EHS will periodically spot check all AEDs on campus to ensure that the monthly checks are being accomplished and the units are being maintained, as per the manufacture’s recommendations.
Any department that is considering the purchase of an AED is highly encouraged to contact EHS prior to its purchase. The purchasing department must be aware that it is responsible for all costs associated with the purchase and maintenance as well as ensuring that the AED is fully operational at all times.
Useful links:
OSHA: AED
EHS: AED Program
EHS: Monthly Self Readiness Check Sheet
EHS: OSU AED Locations
---------------------
A Fire and Life Safety Building Review is a proactive fire prevention program to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus.
This will be attained through a comprehensive effort of fire and life safety education, building reviews, and oversight of all maintenance performed on fire and life safety systems installed in all Stillwater campus facilities.
The Fire and Life Safety Building Review will evaluate public areas including hallways, stairwells, conference rooms, classrooms, storage areas, and mechanical rooms. The reviewer looks for unsafe practices and conditions related to fire and life safety codes that may contribute to a fire or deter from effective evacuation of a building in case of an emergency.
Reviews are conducted on a scheduled frequency based on building’s assigned occupancy classification. A building review can be conducted by request or in response to a safety concern or complaint. In response to a written or verbal safety concern or complaint, the building will receive a Fire and Life Safety Building Review within three business days after the receipt of the complaint.
Common concerns that are evaluated during a review are:
- Unapproved storage in hallways and stairways.
- Blocked emergency exits.
- Fire doors that are propped open or do not operate properly.
- Permanent use of extension cords.
- Non-operational exit signs and emergency lighting.
Useful links:
EHS: Building Schedule
------------------
Fire drills are conducted in accordance with all applicable codes and as required to ensure that occupants of University buildings are knowledgeable of evacuation procedures and escape routes from their living and work spaces.
Residential Life
Fire drills are conducted twice a year in all residence halls. The drills will be conducted within the first 14 days after the start of each semester. All residents must leave the building when the drill begins. If residents do not evacuate a hall in a reasonable amount of time, the drill is repeated until Environmental Health and Safety personnel are satisfied with the required time to evacuate. All repeat drills will be unannounced.
University Buildings
Fire drills for all other campus buildings will be conducted as required by code or by written request by the building's occupants.
Fire Alarm Procedures
- When a fire alarm sounds, you should leave the building immediately – do not assume it is an alarm test (unless a test has been announced) or a false alarm. All fire alarms should be treated as they are real until told otherwise by Stillwater Fire Department, OSU PD or EHS personnel.
- Do not use elevators.
- Close all doors to help control or prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
- Help others that require additional assistance if this can be done safely.
- Move to designated assembly areas to ensure all occupants have exited the building, notify others if anyone needing assistance is still inside the building.
All building occupants shall remain out of the building until directed to reoccupy the building by Stillwater Fire Department, OSU PD or EHS personnel.
Useful Links:
OSHA: Evacuation Plan and Procedures eTool
---------------------
Fire Alarm System
Any fire alarm system to be installed in a University building shall meet all applicable codes as well as the OSU EHS Addressable Fire Alarm System Standard as set forth by the Oklahoma State University Fire Marshal. Fire alarm systems are maintained by OSU Facilities Management Group.
Care must be taken to eliminate the unintentional activation of the fire alarm systems, any work that creates a dirty, dusty or wet atmosphere that could activate the fire detection system should be avoided. When a dirty dusty condition exists, the contractor or project manager shall request and coordinate the deactivation of the fire detection system for the construction area.
If the building is unoccupied, the fire alarm system could be deactivated for the duration of the project, if approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The contractor shall assume responsibility of the facility during the contract period.
Fire Suppression Systems
Any fire suppression system to be installed in a University building shall meet all applicable codes as well as the OSU EHS Fire Sprinkler System Standard as set forth by the Oklahoma State University Fire Marshal. Fire Suppression systems are maintained by OSU Facilities Management Group.
Fire suppression (sprinkler systems shall only be deactivated by Facilities Management technicians upon approval of the AHJ.
Impairment
System impairment is when there is a significant portion or area of coverage that is deactivated or out of service or the alarm or sprinkler system is not functioning properly. The University Fire Marshal shall determine what addition measures will be required to ensure building and life safety.
Additional measures may include:
- Employment and implementation of a fire watch.
- Additional patrols by OSU PD or security.
- Installation of temporary protection systems.
- Removing all occupants from the building.
Any use of open flame on University property, with the exception of grills and cutting torches, shall require an open burn permit. The use of candles and open flames is not allowed in campus buildings, on university grounds, or in association with university-sponsored events or functions; exceptions can be requested through the University Fire Marshal.
Open Burn Permit:
In accordance with the requirements of the International Fire Code (Sec. F-403.4.2), written permission is required before the ignition of any open burning upon state owned property. The following is a list of activities that require an Open Burn Permit:
- Recognized range of wildfire management practices or prevention to control disease or pests. (Burn Plan is also required)
- Providing heat for outdoor workers.
- Bonfires and indoor religious ceremonies and/or activities involving open flames and/or candles/incense.
Application must be made in writing at least ten (10) working days prior to the date of event.
Grill Permits:
Any use of portable grills on university property shall require a grill permit. Applications for a grill permit shall be submitted at least 2 business days prior to the grilling event. The use of fixed/installed grills does not require a grill permit.
Portable grills must be operated no closer than 20 feet from any university building or combustible materials. All grills, installed and portable, shall be monitored at all times until they are cool to the touch. Portable grills shall be placed on a non-combustible surface; e.g. asphalt, cement, gravel.
A portable fire extinguisher is required to be present at the grill site, and readily accessible for use. Do not remove any installed portable fire extinguisher from any building!
Do not place hot coals into trash cans or dumpsters.
Hot Work:
Any work on campus that will produce sparks or is accomplished using open flame shall require a hot work permit. Requests for hot work permits shall be submitted at least 24 hours in advance through the Facilities Management Customer Portal.
The following Information must be provided at the time of request:
- Location of hot work
- Date and Time permit is required
- Point of Contact with phone number
Emergency request for hot work permits will be handled on a case by case basis.
-----------------------
Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for the installation, location, maintenance, survey and replacement of over 4,000 portable fire extinguishers on campus and outlying university-owned areas.
Portable fire extinguishers should only be used for emergency purposes. If you notice a portable fire extinguisher that is missing or is not in its proper place please report this to EHS at (405)744-7241.
- You have been trained.
- The fire alarm has been activated and 911 called.
- The fire is small and there is very little smoke.
- You have a clear exit out of the building.
- Extinguisher is rated for materials involved in the fire.
- Pull the pin
- Aim nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep side to side
Extinguisher Locations
Fire Extinguishers can be found in the following locations on campus:
- Fire Extinguisher Cabinets, smaller, less-conspicuous cabinets usually located in exit corridors and can be surface mounted or recessed into the walls. This is the most common extinguisher location on campus.
- Fire Hose Cabinets, large, red metal cabinets commonly located in the walls of exit corridors. This is a common location for portable extinguishers on campus.
- Wall-mounted Brackets hold extinguishers that are not stored in cabinets. This method keeps extinguishers in plain view on the walls, and is most common in workshops, and large office suites.
Extinguisher Survey Tags
Fire and Life Safety survey personnel normally attached paper tags to extinguishers that were hole-punched to indicate the month and year of the last maintenance survey. However, the university has purchased a bar-coding and electronic tracking system to monitor the survey of portable extinguishers, so maintenance tags will no longer be utilized to track when a survey or maintenance has been performed.
-------------------
Space Heater Request Procedures
The use of portable space heaters on the OSU campus is highly discouraged due to the increased risk of fire and energy required to operate. Portable space heaters should not be used to replace a buildings fixed heating system.
How to request an evaluation for the use a portable space heat
1. Submit a request through the Facilities Management Customer Portal.
- Problem code should be “Scheduling of Building Mechanical Systems, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) by Energy Managers”.
- Request description should read “Evaluate office area for possible need for space heater.”
- Energy Management will evaluate work area and determine if heating conditions are within normal operating parameters.
- The request may then be forwarded to Facilities Management O&M to ensure that the buildings HVAC system is working properly.
2. If it is determined that the work area would require supplemental heating, the request will then be forwarded to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to determine if it is safe to operate a portable space heater.
3. If the work area is determined safe for space heater operation and the proper space heater is obtained The University Fire Marshal will grant a permit for space heater operation.
- This permit will be issued for a 6 month period.
- This permit could be revoked at any time due to non-compliance with the requirements listed below.
Portable space heater requirements:
1. Portable space heaters are not allowed in residence halls.
2. They must be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listed, or FM (Factory Mutual) approved.
3. Plugged directly into an approved wall receptacle.
• The use of extension cords or surge suppressors are not authorized.
• Receptacles installed in cubicles are not considered to be an approved wall receptacle.
4. Must be located more than 36 inches away from combustible materials such as paper, furniture, clothing, curtains, etc.
• Zero clearance space heaters are preferred.
5. Must be located in plain sight and clearly visible on the floor.
6. Cannot be placed in a high traffic area.
7. The cord shall not be placed under carpets or paper, or across aisles or other walking paths.
8. Nothing shall be placed on the heater.
9. Can only use electric heaters; no gasoline, kerosene and propane heaters are permitted.
10. Heater must be capable of automatic shut-off if tipped over.
11. The heating element cannot exceed a temperature of 212*F (100*C).
12. Must be turned off and unplugged when the area is not occupied.
13. Must be inspected regularly by the operator for any damage to the unit or the cord.
14. All portable space heaters are subject to survey and approval by the University Fire Marshal or designee.
Environmental Health and Safety Department through the University Fire Marshal, reserve the right to inspect and declare any space heater "unapproved" if it creates a hazard or is inappropriate for a particular location based on specific circumstances, codes, and/or legal requirements.
Exceptions can be granted to accommodate medical conditions that would require supplemental heating.
----------------------